A senior figure within Red Bull has revealed that Max Verstappen’s exit talk is very real, making an audacious Lewis Hamilton claim in the process.
Max Verstappen’s 2024 season has been far more challenging compared to his dominant 2023 campaign, where he secured the championship title with two months to spare. This year, the reigning champion has faced difficulties at Red Bull, with six different drivers claiming grand prix victories, and Verstappen himself hasn’t won a race since the Spanish GP in June.
Red Bull team principal Christian Horner has been under pressure, constantly fielding questions about the team’s driver lineup, especially after rivals McLaren dethroned them from the top spot in the constructors’ standings. With just six races remaining, Verstappen needs to stay focused, as Lando Norris is only 52 points behind him in the drivers’ championship, keeping the title race wide open.
Max Verstappen has hinted at the possibility of retiring from Formula 1 in the future, but it is unclear whether he has concrete plans to do so soon. The 27-year-old reigning champion has voiced frustrations with the FIA and the sport’s governing body, particularly in relation to certain rules and regulations that he finds absurd. These frustrations have led him to openly consider stepping away from F1.
While much of the current focus is on Sergio Perez’s performance and Red Bull’s efforts to secure another constructors’ championship, Verstappen’s own comments suggest that Red Bull may need to prepare for the possibility that he could retire earlier than expected. However, as of now, there is no confirmed timeline for his potential exit from the sport.
In an exclusive interview with sport.de, Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko revealed why Verstappen’s exit threats could present a legitimate threat to the team.
“That danger is there,” Marko said on Verstappen potentially leaving F1.
“Max is not a guy who wants to beat the records of Schumacher or Hamilton.
“When he’s in the car, he wants to win. But the environment has to be right.
“If the whole thing no longer suits him, you can expect him to say from one day to the next – that’s it.”